La Traviata

2018Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre

Violetta wears velvet and lace and drinks the very best champagne from crystal
glasses. Her parties are legendary, her company desired. She's free and free-spirited,
living outside society's bounds, and for this courtesan, it seems like the party
will never end. Could a little love really change everything?

La Traviata is so popular because it puts a life we can only dream of
on stage, with its risqué glamour, joys and sorrows.

Verdi's music sings of freedom with flying melodies, makes merry with rousing
drinking songs and leaves us, at the last, with passionate duets between breaking
hearts.

This production by Elijah Moshinsky is one of our most successful, featuring lush
party scenes in Paris and beautiful autumn afternoons in the countryside.

Lavish, crowded sets and exquisite costumes combined with Verdi's famous tunes
offer the perfect way to experience opera for the first time, or the chance to revisit
a favourite with an exciting new cast.

Outstanding young American soprano Corinne Winters makes her Australian debut in
her signature role.

Raise your glass, flutter your pretty lashes, it's Paris in the salons and
you're the life of this party. He's staring at you, he's singing for you...
Are you tempted?

Dine before the opera at Arts Centre Melbourne

Let us make it easy for you with
pre-performance dining at Café Vic at Arts Centre Melbourne. You'll
be served a themed set menu, including matched wine. Lunch and dinner options
available. View the menu.

Simply add the dining option to your cart after selecting tickets. If you already
have tickets, sign in to your account to add
dinner to your existing booking or call 03 9685 3700.

Production Partner

Beautiful and carefree, the courtesan Violetta is the life of every party. But
behind her dazzling smile, she knows that she is dying. Unaware of her troubles, the
shy Alfredo is in love. Violetta is torn: is the promise of true love worth giving
up her life of freedom?

She takes a chance on a life with Alfredo living in the country, and
it seems she could be happy. But Alfredo's father has other ideas. He demands
the impossible: Violetta leave Alfredo, for the sake of his family’s reputation.

Devastated, Violetta agrees, and writes Alfredo a letter of farewell, concealing
her love.

Alfredo is heartbroken and furious, and coming face to face with her at a ball,
he delivers the ultimate insult.

Will Alfredo learn of Violetta’s undying love before she succumbs to her
illness?

Act I

Violetta has been to a sanatorium to treat her tuberculosis. On her return to health
she throws a party to mark her re-emergence in the demi-monde under the protection
of Baron Duphol. Her guests have just completed a long lunch and the Baron is reading
the last pages of a novel by Dumas to Violetta as Flora, a rival courtesan, enters
with her protector the Marquis.

Alfredo is introduced to Violetta by the decadent Gaston. Alfredo has begged Gaston
to introduce him to Violetta. He has long been enthralled by her and has enquired
after Violetta every day of her illness.

Violetta insists that everyone sits together and drinks a toast to the occasion.
Alfredo is prevailed upon to sing a drinking song from Provence.

As the guests leave to dance in the ballroom, Violetta feels faint and is momentarily
left alone. Alfredo re-enters and confesses his love for her. She asks him to return
the following day.

After her guests leave and she is alone, Violetta begins to consider the conflicting
feelings of love and hedonism that are pulling her in opposite directions.

Act II

Scene i

Violetta and Alfredo have been living together for three months in a house in the
country. When Alfredo discovers that Violetta is selling her belongings to pay for
their expenses, he is conscience-stricken and leaves to visit his father, to raise
some money. His father however has decided to call on Violetta to persuade her to
give up Alfredo. Alfredo’s sister hopes to be married soon, and his relationship
with Violetta jeopardises the family’s honour. Violetta realises that as a ‘fallen
woman’ she would destroy Alfredo’s family and consents to leave him. She
decides to leave instantly and writes a message to Alfredo, breaking off their affair.
When Alfredo receives the message he is distraught and, despite his father’s
attempts to console him, rushes off to wreak revenge on Violetta.

Scene ii

A party is being held in Flora’s house. Alfredo enters to join the gambling
party. When Violetta enters on the arm of the Baron she freezes with tension. Alfredo
begins to insult the Baron and the two rivals meet over cards, and Alfredo, unlucky
in love, cannot lose a hand. The game is interrupted by dinner.

Violetta begs Alfredo to leave before Duphol seeks revenge. Alfredo insists she
comes with him and, in desperation, she says she loves the Baron. Alfredo publicly
humiliates Violetta and throws money at her as payment for her services. Alfredo’s
father reproves him for such behaviour.

Act III

It is early morning and Violetta is sleeping. The doctor has given her only a few
hours to live. Violetta rereads a letter from Alfredo’s father, telling her
that the Baron was wounded in the duel with Alfredo and that Alfredo may have left
the country.

But Alfredo has been told by his father of Violetta’s sacrifice and he returns
— only to be confronted by the dying Violetta. He humours her by telling her
that they should plan a new life away from Paris. Alfredo’s father has followed
him and enters, followed by the doctor. Violetta suddenly feels revived, ready to
start a new life with Alfredo — but this is only the symptoms of the last moments
of her disease and she falls dead.

Raise your glass and let the party begin...

Let us make it easy for you with pre-performance dining at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Allow us to make your dinner reservation before evening performances: 6pm
at Café Vic in the Arts Centre Melbourne. You'll be served a themed
three-course set menu for just $95, including matched wine.

Enjoy lunch before a matinee performance: 11:30am at Café
Vic. You'll be served a themed two-course set menu for just $65, with main and
dessert, including a glass of wine.

Simply add dinner to your cart after selecting your tickets.

Entrée (The Baron)
Dinner only, not available at lunch

Homemade pork and pistachio terrine served with pickled vegetables, and freshly
baked sourdough bread
+ a glass of sparkling wine on arrival.

Main (The Courtesan)
Dinner and lunch

Seared salmon served with ratatouille, basil pesto with a side of onion rings
+ a glass of Endless Chardonnay, Central Victoria.

Dessert (Violetta's Passion)
Dinner and lunch

Violet gâteau with elderberry syrup+ tea or filtered coffee.

Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated, please send us an email after
booking.

Published menu is subject to change without notice. Vegetarian and vegan options
are available upon request. This menu is available only before performances of La
Traviata.

Since 1994, Moshinsky’s La traviata for @OperaAustralia
has provided a stunning and highly detailed view into courtesan Violetta Valéry’s
world. Tonight, it was brought to vivid life with a strong lead cast, the depth of
supporting roles and a wonderfully rich chorus.�� pic.twitter.com/qqKn89u4zX